(The Center Square) – A Colorado native will be joining the second Trump administration.
President-elect Donald Trump announced that Chris Wright will join his administration as the United States Secretary of Energy and a member of the newly-formed Council of National Energy.
“Chris has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy,” a press release from the Trump campaign said. “He has worked in Nuclear, Solar, Geothermal, and Oil and Gas. Most significantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics.”
The Council of National Energy seeks to boost American energy production by hastening permits and cutting regulations that hinder this goal.
The Trump campaign said that Wright will work alongside North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on the Council; Trump nominated Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior last week.
“This team will drive U.S. Energy Dominance, which will drive down Inflation, win the A.I. arms race with China (and others), and expand American Diplomatic Power to end Wars all across the World,” the release said.
“As Secretary of Energy, Chris will be a key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new ‘Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace,'” the release added.
Wright founded Liberty Energy, a company primarily focused on fracking.
Trump praised Wright in the release for his willingness to embrace all forms of energy.
“Chris is a dedicated humanitarian with a passion for bringing the benefits of energy to every community in the world,” Trump said in the release. “This passion has inspired a career in energy, working not only in oil and gas but nuclear, solar, and geothermal. Chris embraces all energy sources if they are abundant, affordable, and reliable.”
“Chris is a bold advocate who brings rational thought to the energy dialogue,” Trump added. “He has spoken on energy and the merits of the Shale Revolution to the UK House of Lords and US state and federal lawmakers. Chris has had multiple appearances on network TV, documentaries, and podcasts. Chris’ #ThankYouNorthFace campaign went viral with over 5 million views, sparking a sober discussion on the multiple efficient uses of oil and gas in everyday products.”
The MIT graduate founded Pinnacle Technologies in 1992 and served as its chief executive officer until 2006. The company was a pioneer in the fracking industry, along with commercial shale gas production in the 1990s, according to the release.
Wright also founded Liberty Resources and Liberty Midstream Solutions, a Denver-based oil and gas company he sold earlier this year.
Wright was born and raised in Colorado.
